Cardiff Met makes the grade with Quality Assurance Agency clean bill of health and Investors in People Silver Accreditation

Intropara

​24/11/2014

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​Cardiff Metropolitan University has been awarded Investors in People's (IiP) Silver accreditation, which is the second highest level of accreditation within the IiP framework and includes four levels assessed against 196 evidence requirements.

The University has been fast tracked, bypassing Bronze level, and securing it as the only Silver-accredited university in Wales.

Having continued to meet the recognised core standard of 39 evidence requirements since 2005, the further 157 indicators included in this year's assessment are designed to stretch organisations as part of continuous performance improvement.

This latest accreditation further bolsters the University's positioning since higher education watchdog The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) confirmed last month that academic standards and student learning opportunities at Cardiff Metropolitan University are meeting expectations.

That report similarly identified a number of aspects of good practice and highlighted the work of the Learning & Teaching Development Unit in providing a comprehensive range of opportunities and resources for the enhancement of learning and teaching; as well as the Student Union's engagement with students in collaborative partnerships, and also the implementation of 'Your Career on Line' learning object - which supplies career advice and development for all students at home and overseas.

Jonathan Barrow, Director of Human Resources at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: "We are delighted to be recognised with this prestigious IiP accreditation.

"Assessors spoke with over 80 employees from across the university who had been selected to represent different levels and grades, types of contract, length of service, our five schools and various units.

"The assessment framework incorporates factors such as business strategy; learning and development strategy; people management strategy; leadership and management strategy; management effectiveness; recognition and reward; involvement and empowerment; learning and development; performance measurement and continuous improvement."

The Investors in People assessor who oversaw the University's accreditation highlighted staff feedback that described the University as professional, flexible, friendly, welcoming and supportive, and focussed on career development and personal support.

Social responsibility was described as being well-integrated into the life of the University, with health and wellbeing high on the University's agenda.

Barbara Wilding, Chair of the Board of Governors said: "The Board of Governors is delighted that the dedication of our staff to secure improvement and success - which is ultimately of benefit to our students - has been recognised with such a prestigious award."

Professor Antony Chapman, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, added: "The University's culture continues to be a strength – it is without doubt a major reason why so many people say they love working for Cardiff Metropolitan University. This assessment highlighted the University's 'friendly' and 'supportive' environment and the assessors noted that the University's success is also acknowledged in terms of the excellent outcomes of the QAA review, and continually improving NSS results.

"The University can be justifiably proud of this achievement. Cardiff Metropolitan University is the only Silver HE accreditation in Wales, which demonstrates that there is a robust and sustainable approach here to learning and development and good practice in terms of staff engagement.

"It is an excellent benchmark of the University's progress over the years and we look forward to not only maintaining the silver accreditation, but to exceeding it in the future."